Province Expands African Nova Scotians Scholarship Program

African Nova Scotian students are now eligible for increased university scholarships and post-secondary awards, Education Minister Karen Casey announced today, July 18.

The Department of Education is boosting the post-secondary incentives to help cover the cost of a university education. The scholarship rates have not been adjusted since 1992, when the cost of a post-secondary education was just about half of what it is today.

The post-secondary awards will increase by $500 to $2,500 a year. The awards will also be expanded to include the first three years of university, rather than just two.

"Reviewing and adjusting the incentives we offer is a commitment we made in our response to the Black Learners Advisory Committee Report on Education," said Ms. Casey. "These scholarships are necessary to improve accessibility and opportunity for African Nova Scotian students."

The 1994 Black Learners Advisory Committee report highlighted educational, economic and social inequities between African Nova Scotian students and other Nova Scotians. Among its recommendations was to expand the scholarship program to encourage more black Nova Scotian students to continue their education beyond public school.

In 2005-06, 263 African Nova Scotian students received scholarships and post-secondary awards of more than $658,000. The increased awards are worth an additional $265,000.

"We are pleased to see the Department of Education has followed through on its commitment to increase the awards," said Delvina Bernard of the Council on African Canadian Education. "These increased awards will have a tremendous impact in encouraging young African Nova Scotians to pursue a post-secondary education."

The Scholarship Program for African Nova Scotians also includes university entrance scholarships, awards for students attending community college or trade schools, performing arts bursaries, and scholarships for teacher education and the science professions.

The Department of Education spent $1 million this year implementing recommendations of the report, that included job training, new curriculum, and Africentric Learning Institute pilot programs.

More information on the Scholarship Program for African Nova Scotians can be found at http://acs.ednet.ns.ca/scholarships.shtml, or by calling African Canadian Services at 902-424-2586.